The feasibility of a short bevacizumab infusion in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract

Background: Typically, bevacizumab is initially infused for 90 min, then for 60 min, and subsequently for 30 min. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety profile of a short infusion of bevacizumab in Japanese colorectal cancer patients.

Patients and methods: The records of 58 patients who received bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) from June 2010 to September 2010 were reviewed. Bevacizumab was administered for 30 min at the first time. If patients had no infusion reaction, the infusion time was shortened to 10 min.

Results: None of the 58 patients who received bevacizumab experienced an infusion reaction (95% confidence interval 0-6.2). The only serious adverse event related to bevacizumab infusion was grade 3 proteinuria in 2 patients.

Conclusion: Short infusion of bevacizumab for 30 min the first time and 10 min is safe and feasible.

Keywords: Bevacizumab; feasibility; short infusion.